Perry Noble's megachurch ministry started small

Perry Noble, founder of what would become one of the nation's biggest megachurches, began his ministry with an apartment-house Bible study in 1998.

The founder of NewSpring, who was removed from his ministry last year while dealing with personal issues, has filed paperwork to start a new nonprofit called Second Chance Church.

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Perry Noble has filed paperwork to start a new nonprofit, called Second Chance Church, about a year after he was removed from the church he founded, NewSpring Church.
NewSpring was one of the nation's largest churches, with 14 campuses and an attendance of around 33,000. The church has lost followers in the year since the split, which church leaders said was caused by Noble's alcohol use and stance toward his marriage.
Noble filed for the new nonprofit in July and has declined to talk about what Second Chance Church would be.
Wochit

NewSpring at its peak had 14 campuses and an attendance of around 33,000. The church has lost followers in the year since Noble left.

Here's a look at how Noble went from leading a Bible study in his Anderson apartment to megachurch leader to organizing Second Chance Church:

August 2001: The church moves to Anderson University’s Rainey Fine Arts Center, a 1,100-seat auditorium.

February 2006: The church moves to a location on S.C. 81 North in Anderson with about 7,000 people attending the first services in the new location.

July 2008: The church’s Greenville satellite opens.

January 2009: A Florence campus of NewSpring opens.

April 12, 2009: Noble preaches an Easter sermon, opening with the AC/DC song “Highway to Hell” and inviting controversy. Noble later said he did not regret playing the song in a church service.

September 2009: NewSpring opens its Columbia campus.

September 2012: Perry Noble publishes his first book, “Unleash!”

September 2013: NewSpring launches a $90 million building campaign with the goal of adding seven satellite campuses across the state. NewSpring had become South Carolina’s largest church, as well as one of the nation’s fastest-growing.

April 2014: Noble publishes “Overwhelmed? Winning the War Against Worry,” which addresses his own depression and anxiety struggles.

December 2014: Noble draws criticism for a Christmas Eve sermon in which he describes the Ten Commandments as “actually 10 promises that you can receive when you say yes to Jesus.”

July 1, 2016: Noble is removed as NewSpring’s senior pastor for his “posture toward his marriage, increased reliance on alcohol and other behaviors.”